Electrical wiring system



Aug. 11, 1942. J. F. O

ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM BRIEN Fiied Dec. 19. 1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 Jseph MIZ INVENTOR Aug. 11, 1942.v .1. F. oBRlEN ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMFiled Dec. 19. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEINTOR oeph F 0 r-en l. PatentedAug. 1,1, 1942 ELECTRICAL WIRING SIYS'IEM Joseph F. O'Brien, JerseyCity, N. J., assigner to John B. Pierce Foundation, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New .York

Application December 19,199, serial No. 309.941

Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in electric wiringsystems.

In particular, the present invention relates to improved wiring systemsembodying run units and connector units electrically and mechanicallyinterconnected in seriatim, a connector unit being disposed`intermediate two run units and thereby affording means of electricallyconnecting electricity conductors of such run units, and

. desirably, affording means of securing such run units in desiredoperative position.

It is an.object of the present invention to provide improved run unitsand connector units for a wiring system of the type stated, the rununits being desirably of standardized lengths, and embodying channelmeans wherein an electricity conductor unit of appropriate length isslldably contained.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wiringsystem comprising run units vand therewith assembled connector unitswhich may be readily cut to desired length at the place of installation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedrun unit for a wiring system, such run unit having improved means forsecurement to a wall surface or the like.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved run unitfor an electric wiring system, incorporating means whereby a resilientseal or joint may be effected with the wall surface of a building alongwhich such run units are run, or jointly with two surfaces, such as awall and floor of a room where the run units are run at the intersectionof such wall and floor.

In the present invention the run unit may comprise a housing structureof preferably standard length, desirablyof sheet metal or the like,embodying face plate means shaped and decorated as desired, 'and backplate means positioned in a predetermined location with respect thereto,said back plate means affording a 1ongitudinal channel disposed beneathsaid facing plate. y

Said channel is adapted to accommodate a conductor unit comprisingspaced electricity con' ductors, mutually electrically insulated, andprovided with an external-insulating covering. Such conductor units areslidably arranged within the stated channel. and project suitably beyondthe ends of the housing, such projection being preferably of the order.of three-sixteenths of an inch at each end.

IWL-334.1)

` connector units are employed. Such connector units may advantageouslybe formed entirely of electrical insulation material, and incorporatepreferably tubular electricity conductors, arranged for registry withthe tubular conductors of a run unit.y Electrical connection of therespective run unit and connector unit conductors may be made byVelectrically conductive pins, jumpers, or equivalent.

The connector units are advantageously pro-l vided with sockets orrecesses for registry with the extending portions of the conductor meansof a run unit, whereby such extending portions may project into the bodyof the connector unit in a male and female engagement. The connectorunits, further, may be provided with eavelike extensions, theundersurface thereof having a contour matching the external contour ofthe run units, and adapted thereby to overlie, snugly, the stated rununits.

By providing the connector units with 4means whereby they 'maybefastened to the building structure, it is apparent that such connectorunits, through the agency of the'stated eavelike extensions, may serveadditionally to secure the run units in operative position.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a representation, in elevation, of a4 portion of an electricwiring system embodying my invention; a portion of the outer sheath of aconductor unit and of a connector unit has been broken away to exposeotherwise hidden details:

Fig.,2 is an elevation, taken along the section lines 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken through a connector.

`unit on section lines I--J of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a conductor unit, a portion of the outermember of which being broken away to expose the conductor means;

Fig. 5 is an end view, in section/of a secondv form of conductor unit,illustrating a method of securing such unit to a wall or the like;

Fig. 6 is affront elevation of the unit of Fig. 5, elements of such unithaving been removed better to show the relationship thereof to the'coinpleted structure;

Fig. 'I is a representation of a wiring system comprising run units andconnector units of another type; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary perspectives of a third and fourth form ofrun units, the run unit shown in Fig. 8 being the type illustrated inF18. 7.

Referring to Figure 1, a wiring system embodying the present inventioncomprises a pluralityof run units I0. Il, arranged for interconnectionby connector units I2, as later described. Advantageously, suchconnector units embody outlet means, but it will be obvious that thepresent invention is not restricted to outlet-provided connector units.

Run units Il are desirably of standardized lengths. It is preferable-tomake each run unit twelve inches long,.such length contemplating thatthe connector units I2 shall be of the order of four inches in length,whereby the center to center distance between connector units, whenarranged in seriatim connection with a run unit, will be of the order ofsixteen inches. A wiring system comprising a run unit and therewithassociated. connector units may, therefore, be secured to studdinghaving a conventional spacing of sixteen inches on centers.

By making the run units I of such relatively smali length, theseriatim-connected run and connector units are more readily articulated,and are thus more readily conformable to curved or uneven surfaces.

As shown in Figures l and 3, a connector unit i2 may have a centrallyarranged opening Athrough which a wood screw or like fastening devicemay be passed for securement to the Walls. fioors, or studding of abuilding structure..

Run units to are advantageously formed from metallic elements, 'theexternal or facing plate i4 thereof being given any desired appearance.For use as shown., namely as a molding disposed at the intersection ofthe 'wall or baseboard of a room and the iloor of the room, or at theintersection of a wail and counter top, the facing plate Il may' have anouter configuration simulating base molding; as shown in Figure 2, theouter surface o auch facing plate M may assume an angle of approximatelyforty-five degrees (45) with respect vertical and horizontal planes.Desirably, the marginal edges of such facing strip are turned downwardlyto make a neat and substantially snug engagement with the respectivevertical and horizontal surfaces representing such wall andfloor/'structure or equivalent.

Operatively associated with said facing plate I4, and advantageouslysecured thereto by spot welding or the like, there is provided a.backing plate unit I 6, disposed centrally of said facing plate andrunning longitudinally thereof. Backing plate means I6 forms acontinuous and preferably imperforate pocketlil, coextensive with thefacing plate I4, and the respective facing plate and backing platecooperate to form the "housing of the run units I0.

Such pocket I8 affords o. channel within which a conductor unit l may beslidably inserted; the dimensions of conductor unit 20 preferably aiordan engagement with the walls of pocket I8 which precludes substantialplay or looseness.

In the form shown in Figur-e 2, such conductor unit 20 embodies anydesired plurality of electricity conductors 22, which conductors mayadvantageously be tubes of copper or equivalent electricity conductingmaterial. Said conductors 22 are maintained in insulated spacedrelationship, as by the intermediate insulator 24.

As appears from the drawings, it is preferable to have the opposinglateral edges of the insulator 24 grooved or channeled to form pocketswithinwhich such conductors 22 are secured.

For insulating the respective conductors 22 from the facing plate I4 orbacking plate IG, an outer sleeve or envelope 26 of electricalinsulation material may be employed. It has been found advantageous toform such outer envelop 26 by winding or braiding a continuous tape orfabric formed from glass fiber or the like; such fabric alfordsexcellent insulation qualities, is rotand vermin-proof. and affords adegree of flexibility to the conductor unit which may not be attainedafford means adaptable for ready interconnection with the conductors ofcontiguous units.

As is shown in Figures l and 3. the connector unit l2 embodies tubularconductors 3U, 30, insulatedly mounted within the body of said unit, andarranged to register with the conductors 22 of a run unit, it beingunderstood that the location of such conductors 39 within the body ofunit I2 corresponds to the loca-tion of conductors 22 within the uniti0. Electrical connection of the conductors 22 with the connector unitconductors 30 may be eifected by any suitable means, such as theillustrated conductive pins 32, Figure l.

Desirably, the bodies of connector units I2 are Wholly of electricinsuiation material.

Connector units i2 are provided, at their end walls, with recesses 3|,such recesses being symmetrical with respect to conductors 30, andhaving a depth desirably slightly more than the extent of projection ofconductor unit 20 from the housing of run unit Ill. The dimensions andconfiguration of such recesses conform to the external dimension andconfiguration of the outer envelope of such conductor unit 2U, whereby,as illustrated in Figure 1, the projecting portion of the conductor unit20 may be inserted into a recess 34 in male and female jointrelationship, to protect the zone of connection of the run unit and theconnector unit from damage, short circuiting or the like.. As indicatedin Fig. l, an end of the housing of unit I0 abuts against the end wallof unit I2.

Fig. 1 shows also, that connector units I2 are provided, at its endportions, with an eave 36, which overlaps the outer member I4 of theadjacent run unit I0. 'I'he configuration of the body portion of theconnector I2 and, its cave-like extension affords a snug engagement offacing plate I4 and the undersurface of such eave 38, and it beingremembered that unit I2 is adapted to be firmly secured in position, thesecurement of such unit I2 affords securement of the adjacent units I0.Such cavelike extensions additionally shed dirt, water or cleaningfluids.

The embodiment of a run unit illustrated in Figures 5 and 6,incorporates supplemental means for the securement of a run unit,contemplating installations having connector units spaced at relativelygreat intervals. Such embodiment, also, affords run units which may beadequately secured even though the spacing of studding or the like in abuilding structure may be irregular.

acogen Such run unit embodiment, designated 40, .incorporates a facingplate 42 and a therewith associated backing plate means 44, said backingplate 44 having a longitudinally arranged and preferably centrallydisposed bead 46, arranged whereby the bead 46 may be snapped intoengagement with the anchor means.

Figs. and `6 illustrate laterally extending margins 52 of rubber,Thiokol or like synthetic rubber compounds, secured between opposedsurfaces of the facing plate 42 and backing plate 44, as

' shown inFigure 5.

It will be obvious that by suitable proportioning, the marginal members52 may be urged snugly against the respective vertical and horizontalbuilding elements, to afford a snug, dirt and vermin proof engagement ofthe run unit with such structural elements.

As shown in Fig. 6. the conductor unit; 40 of run unit 40, said unitbeing slidably arran, within the pocket 54, projects suitably bey n\`.the termini of such run unit.

construction', a resilient engagement is had between the outer shellmember 12 and the meinber 15 forming an element of the channel-providingsection, such resilient engagement serving to rotate the stated channelforming section 4 clockwise, thus forcing the lower flange of such Itwill be` understood that tnerun units 4u are I intended for installationwith connector units I2 as aforesaid. However, in positioning the statedrun units 40, the installer may first placeand secure the anchor means'48, whereupon the run unit 40 may be secured by snapping the bead 46thereof into engagement with the ljaws of the anchor 48. Such securementis intended primarily to supplement the securement afforded by connectorunits i2, as previously described.

` Figures 8 and 9 illustrate other forms of run units, adaptable forspecialized insulations such as chair rails, baseboard molding or thelike.

The run units of Figure 8, designated 60, are illustrated in installedstatus in Figure 7, it being noted that such insulation includes anonoutlet type of connector unit, designated l2.

The housing of run unit 60 embodies a facing plate 62, having marginalportions turned inwardly to afford tracks or runners 63. Thechannel'providing member may be composite, being advantageously formedfrom two elements G4, 65, mutuallypermanently secured as by spot weldingor equivalent. A conductor unit 2li' is slidably housed within theillustrated pocket afforded by the stated elements 64, 65.

It is to be noted that the composite channel member of the run unit 60may not bepermanently secured to the outer shell 82 thereof. Theconfiguration and positioning of the rail-forming elements 63 insure theproper position of the channel forming member, and additionally, the

corners of such composite channel forming member may engage theundersurface of facing plate B2. The accurate positioning therebyafforded such channel member assures that the conductor unit 20 of a rununit will register with the conductors of a connector unit. l

In the structure illustrated in Figure 9, a generally similar method ofconstruction may be employed. The outer 4shell member 12 of run unit 1Uhas congurated marginal surfaces which afford the desired trac k" alongwhich the channel forming elements may be moved. In such channel formingsection into engagement with the track provided at the lower surface ofsuch unit 12,'and maintaining the proper position of conductor unit 2litherein. y

A` feature of the present invention is the adaptability of the run unitfor foreshortening to meet the requirements of an insulation.V

To shorten a run unit i0, it is necessary only to withdraw the conductorunit 20 therefrom to an amount suitably greater than the amount which isto be cut off of the conductor unit.

Thereupon any suitable amount may be severed from the housing of theconductor unit, as by a hack saw or like available tool. After thehousing portion of the run unit has been cut to desired length, theconductor unit thereof may be cut so that such conductor means will bethreeeighths of an inch longer than the new length of the run unit,whereupon the conductor means may be slid back into its operativeposition, in which position the conductor unit extends threesixteenthsof an inch from each end of the run unit housing.

Whereas I have described my invention by ref.- erence to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and' modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A conductor unit for a wiring system, comprising face plate meanssimulating building molding, backing platey means ofv channel formsecured to the under side thereof and providing a continuoussubstantially rectangular pocket extending longitudinally of said facingplate means at substantially the median line thereof, a strip ofresilient material disposed at the lateral marginal edges of said faceplate means and extending outwardly therefrom, and electricity conductormeans slidably housed within said substantially rectangularpocket meansand engaged by the walls thereof to prevent other than longitudinalmovement therein, said conductor backing plate means Secured to an underside of saidVv face plate means 'and extending longitudinally thereof toprovide a substantially rectangular continuous pocket, said backingplate means, further having a non-deformable, longitudinal bead disposedat substantially the median line of said face plate means, andelectricity conductors mutually insulated within a common housingslidably positioned within said pocket and engaging wall surfacesthereof to restrain displacement other than in a longitudinal direction,of anchor means arranged for securement to said building structure andreleasably engageable with said laterally extending bead to ,sesure saidunit to said building structure.

3. A combined molding and electricity, conductor unit, comprising afacing plate simulating building molding and having edge portionsadapted to ilt snugly against vertical and` horiraontal wall surfacesadjacent the intersection thereof and defining with said wall surfaces.a substantially triangular space. a channel-like backing strip securedto the under side of said facing plate and extending longitudinallythere- 0f along substantially the median line of such facing plate, saidbacking strip cooperating with said facing plate to form an enclosedsubstantially rectangular passage, and conductor means including aplurality of conductors disposed in ilxed mutually spaced insulatedrelationship disposed Within a common casing having a dimensionapproximating the dimension of said 'enclosed passage and having outersurfaces engaging with the angularly disposed walls thereof to securesaid conductor means against displacement, said conductor meansprojecting from an end of said facing plate.

4. A combined molding and electricity conduetor unit comprising thecombination with a facing plate eongurated to simulate structuralmolding, said facing plate having an edge forms.- tion adapted to snuglyengage the walls of a room and deiining with such wail, an enclosure ofsubstantial volume, a Nate ci less width than the facing pistesccnrei;to said facing plate to provide an enciesed sus-stantially rectangularpassage disposed within the enclosure dened by the facintT and the wail,said passage having a 'a' te width of the facing plate and i facingplate in pref sine-d waitin-n relative aguas i thereto, and a conductorcontaining core unit having electricity conductors disposed therein infixed mutually insulated spaced relationship, said core unit beingremovably positioned within said passage in engagement with the wallsthereof to preclude displacement except longitudinally of the unit toposition the conductors of said core unit in uniform location relativeto the imit throughout the length thereof.

5. A combined molding and electrictiy conductor unit, comprising afacing plate simulating building molding and having edge portionsadapted to fit snugly against vertical and horizontal wall surfacesadjacent the intersection thereof and defining with said wall surfaces,a substantially triangular space, a channel-like backing strip securedto the under side of said facing plate and extending longitudinallythereof along substantially the median line of such facing plate, saidbacking strip cooperating with said facing plate to form an enclosedsubstantially. rectangular passage, and conductor means including aplurality of'conductors disposed in iixed mutually spaced insulatedrelationship disposed within a common casing having a dimensionapproximating the dimension of said enclosed passage and having outersurfaces engaging'with the angularly disposed walls thereof to securesaid conductor means against displacement.

JOSEPH F. GBRIEN.

